17/04/2008 Session
PACE today called on the member states to promote the teaching of Europe’s literary heritage and introduce new ways of teaching literature, reflecting its European dimension.
“Learning about European literature is an integral part of education for European citizenship”, said Jacques Legendre (France, EPP/CD), rapporteur for the Culture Committee. “It is essential that the masterpieces of European literature should be as widely known as possible among Europeans, and it is up to the whole book chain – authors, publishers, translators, librarians and teachers – to help carry out this comprehensive project”.
The Assembly also urged the member states and their education authorities to take advantage of the wider options offered by new technologies, for instance by designing websites on Europe’s literary heritage. It encouraged literary translation, both for older works and for contemporary writing.
Author Amin Maalouf, who spoke to parliamentarians during the debate, stressed “the crucial importance of teaching our literature if we want the European idea to be coherent and truly compelling”.